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The Fender Super Bassman 300 thread

#3,041
I know I've been all over the map, for the last few years, about which all tube bass head to buy. As of late, I've been drooling over the 50th Anniversary SVT-VR, however, price does come into play for me.

As does getting the green light from my wife.

I'm excited to say, I should be getting a brand spanking new Fender Super Bassman head sometime soon. The clincher for me, is the Super Bassman is roughly the same price as the SVT-CL.

I like the fact the Super Bassman has two channels. From my research here, the "Vintage" channel is relatively clean at louder volume settings, which is ultra important for me. and the "Active" channel has a cut/boost EQ, and Overdrive.

I'm thinking I'll be buying a matching Fender cabinet, although I haven't figured out which one. I'll be mainly using the Super Bassman where my band rehearses, but it will also see action in clubs.

My Tech 21 GED-2112/Crest CA9 and two Mesa Powerhouse cabinets is most likely what I'll be using in big rooms, and outdoor gigs.
 
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#3,042
Arthur U. Poon said:
I know I've been all over the map, for the last few years, about which all tube bass head to buy. As of late, I've been drooling over the 50th Anniversary SVT-VR, however, price does come into play for me.

As does getting the green light from my wife.

I'm excited to say, I should be getting a brand spanking new Fender Super Bassman head sometime soon. The clincher for me, is the Super Bassman is roughly the same price as the SVT-CL.

I like the fact the Super Bassman has two channels. From my research here, the "Vintage" channel is relatively clean at louder volume settings, which is ultra important for me. and the "Active" channel has a cut/boost EQ, and Overdrive.

I'm thinking I'll be buying a matching Fender cabinet, although I haven't figured out which one. I'll be mainly using the Super Bassman where my band rehearses, but it will also see action in clubs.

My Tech 21 GED-2112/Crest CA9 and two Mesa Powerhouse cabinets is most likely what I'll be using in big rooms, and outdoor gigs.
Click to expand...

The VINTAGE channel is probably a li'l dirtier than the active/ overdrive channel ime. When loud at least. It's seems to have that sweet li'l amount of fur to it, which, of course, gets more the more you turn up. It's very nice!
I think, ..the Active channel has the ability to stay cleaner, just by setting the BLEND control to '0' or, obviously, turn the BLEND up and it'll dirty up as it's supposed to.
The ACTIVE/ OVERDRIVE channel has the ability to be very versatile with its active eq...
While the VINTAGE channel is its own thing. Very tubby and, well, Bassman like, but far less versatile in its eq capabilities.
It's a great two options to have
 
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#3,044
rodl2005 said:
The VINTAGE channel is probably a li'l dirtier than the active/ overdrive channel ime. When loud at least. It's seems to have that sweet li'l amount of fur to it, which, of course, gets more the more you turn up. It's very nice!
I think, ..the Active channel has the ability to stay cleaner, just by setting the BLEND control to '0' or, obviously, turn the BLEND up and it'll dirty up as it's supposed to.
The ACTIVE/ OVERDRIVE channel has the ability to be very versatile with its active eq...
While the VINTAGE channel is its own thing. Very tubby and, well, Bassman like, but far less versatile in its eq capabilities.
It's a great two options to have
Click to expand...
I absolutely agree about the Vintage channel. You can really hear the difference in this video (it’s for the Bassman 800, which has the same preamp):

Towards the end, they go back and forth between th Vintage and the Overdrive (blended on 0). The vintage channel just has that depth, warmth and character that doesn’t necessarily sound dirty, but just not at all sterile. It’s not until they switch back to the “overdrive” channel that you hear just how clean it could be.
 
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#3,045
rodl2005 said:
The VINTAGE channel is probably a li'l dirtier than the active/ overdrive channel ime. When loud at least. It's seems to have that sweet li'l amount of fur to it, which, of course, gets more the more you turn up. It's very nice!
I think, ..the Active channel has the ability to stay cleaner, just by setting the BLEND control to '0' or, obviously, turn the BLEND up and it'll dirty up as it's supposed to.
The ACTIVE/ OVERDRIVE channel has the ability to be very versatile with its active eq...
While the VINTAGE channel is its own thing. Very tubby and, well, Bassman like, but far less versatile in its eq capabilities.
It's a great two options to have
Click to expand...



Thanks, Rod! That sounds perfect!
 
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#3,050
I have both the 610 and 410. Both are great, and I'd happily have either as my only cab. The 610 is just more of the 410 I think. Doesn't really sound like it's voiced differently to me.

The load in using a 410 is very convenient as you can just roll it in with the SB300 on top. 610 is great with the tilt back wheels, but it's an extra trip for everything else.

IMAG0667_zpsvrx8nnvf.jpg
 
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#3,054
If I could ONLY have a 410 or 610, I would most definitely choose the 610. That being said, in so many situations an SB & 410 is more than adequate and when it's not I would probably prefer an 810 or 2x410's over the 610. For me having 2 410's is very advantageous for a Ric-o-sound rig.

I would definitely consider the 15's as well. It's kind of a shame Fender doesn't offer a neo 210.

20180307_161401.jpg
 
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#3,055
There's THAT point... being able to sit the amp on top of the flat topped cab with wheels on, and roll the two in, in one trip. I do this regularly with the Super Bassman and 115
Agreeing with @Ryan L. That the 115 is a VERY sweet cab. But I've not had much of a run with the others in the Neo Bassman series.
I've always said the 115 is a "tight and punchy" 115, and feels to me more like a sealed cab than a boomy 115. Not that they're all, or even many ARE boomy etc, I think it's a popular theme, that 15s are bassy and boomy and slow... In my experience, I've found the opposite, that older 410s I've had were FAR deeper sounding and liable to get boomy...
But, as we know, that ALL depends on the design and make up of the cab - all it's parts.
But I've sure noticed the Bassman 115s sound great with tube amps and very good also with my Aguilar TH500
The Bergantino B|amp doesn't shine as much thru em, I feel. But, pair that amp with a Berg cab, and its a whole 'nother universe
 
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#3,057
rodl2005 said:
There's THAT point... being able to sit the amp on top of the flat topped cab with wheels on, and roll the two in, in one trip. I do this regularly with the Super Bassman and 115
Agreeing with @Ryan L. That the 115 is a VERY sweet cab. But I've not had much of a run with the others in the Neo Bassman series.
I've always said the 115 is a "tight and punchy" 115, and feels to me more like a sealed cab than a boomy 115. Not that they're all, or even many ARE boomy etc, I think it's a popular theme, that 15s are bassy and boomy and slow... In my experience, I've found the opposite, that older 410s I've had were FAR deeper sounding and liable to get boomy...
But, as we know, that ALL depends on the design and make up of the cab - all it's parts.
But I've sure noticed the Bassman 115s sound great with tube amps and very good also with my Aguilar TH500
The Bergantino B|amp doesn't shine as much thru em, I feel. But, pair that amp with a Berg cab, and its a whole 'nother universe
Click to expand...
I agree about the B|Amp thru the Fender cabs, but my quilter thru the Fender 410 &.610 is a monster!
 
#3,059
6FEC2D89-B394-4A9A-BE24-69B06C54C580.jpeg
Looks like it’s time for a couple tubes. :O

Light came on before the gig last night. Amp ran fine all night, Which was convenient. I didn’t need to pull out the backup. I estimate I’ve got about 400 hours on the amp.

Where are you folks getting your tubes these days? GT-6550-R is what’s installed. Looks like I can get a pair for $140 at Adorama.
 

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